the scientific and popular name ofa genus of Australian plants, closely resembling the Gentians; there are many species. The name was given bySir James Smith, president of the Linnaean Society, in 1793.See quotation.
1793. `Transactions of the Linn.can Society,' vol. ii. p. 346:
«I [Smith] have given to this . . . genus the name of Goodenia,in honour of . . . Rev. Dr. Goodenough, treasurer ofthis Society, of whose botanical merits . . . example ofTournefort, who formed Gundelia from Gundelscheimer.»
[Dr. Goodenough became Bishop of Carlisle; he was thegrandfather of Commodore Goodenough.]
1889. J. H. Maiden, `Useful Native Plants,' p. 188:
«A species of Goodenia is supposed to be used by thenative gins to cause their children to sleep on long journeys,but it is not clear which is used.»